“Most importantly to me, the town treats us like people, not just employees.”
That perspective from Josephine Agnello-Veley, Human Resources Director for the town of West Hartford, captures a shift in how municipalities measure success. Long celebrated on national lists for its public schools and lifestyle, West Hartford has now captured a new distinction. For the first time, the Courant program has included the municipality as one of Greater Hartford’s Top Workplaces, making it the sole town to achieve this status this year.
Town Secures Top Ranking Through Surveys
The recognition stems from employee surveys administered by Energage, alongside a review of internal programs, benefits, and workplace culture. West Hartford landed among the top in the large employer category. According to town spokesperson Renee McCue, municipal staffing on July 1 stood at 670 full-time and regular part-time personnel, supplemented by 809 temporary and seasonal workers.
We are excited to share that the Town of West Hartford was named one of 2026’s Top Workplaces in the large-employer category and scored exceptionally high for “Culture Excellence,” meaning the organization is viewed as a people-first workplace culture. West Hartford is the only… pic.twitter.com/baoOPpxJ3A
Turnover figures highlight the stability behind these numbers. Josephine Agnello-Veley noted that the town tracked 64 terminations, which included retirements, starting from a baseline of 619 employees at the beginning of July. That places the turnover rate at 8.9 percent excluding retirements, or 10.3 percent when including them. Stints lasting 25, 30, or even more years are frequently seen among personnel serving the Town of West Hartford.
“Being named a Top Workplace by The Hartford Courant is a wonderful recognition of what makes West Hartford such a special place to work. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community are what make this recognition possible,” said Shari Cantor, mayor of West Hartford.
Town Supports Staff with Flexible Schedules
Beyond traditional health, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, the town provides a hybrid pension and deferred contribution retirement plan. Wellness initiatives include an employee assistance program, workplace yoga, and flexible scheduling.
Yet municipal leaders emphasize that benefits alone do not drive retention. McCue pointed to low departmental silos and an inclusive atmosphere that encourages cross-departmental collaboration with staff and community volunteers.
“Creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered is a priority for the Town of West Hartford. Our employees are talented, dedicated professionals who care deeply about the work they do and the community they serve,” said Rick Ledwith, West Hartford town manager. Rick Ledwith
The recognition arrives as the town balances its established identity as a regional destination for dining and shopping with the internal mechanics of municipal governance. With the Hartford Courant issuing an editor’s note apologizing for not sharing the news sooner, the municipal workforce enters the remainder of the year.
